Ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Koufonisia.

The ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Koufonisia is a key Cyclades connection. The crossing takes about 4h on the fastest vessels, with tickets from €42. Sailings run all year, thinning out in winter, operated by Blue Star Ferries and Seajets.

Koufonisia is the favourite of the Small Cyclades, a cluster of little islands between Naxos and Amorgos. It is actually two islands: Ano Koufonisi, the inhabited one where the ferries dock, and Kato Koufonisi, reached by small boat. People come for turquoise coves, a flat coastline you can walk or cycle around, and a slower pace than the big-name islands.

This direct route is the easiest way to get there from Athens without changing boats. The conventional ships take the long way through the central Cyclades, about seven and a half to eight and a half hours, while the high-speed boats cut the trip to around four hours. Many travellers combine Koufonisia with Naxos, Amorgos or the other Small Cyclades, arriving by one route and leaving by another.

There is no airport on Koufonisia, so the boat is the only way in, and a missed sailing can cost you a day. Plan with care. Book early for July and August, when Koufonisia's limited beds and the high-speed seats both sell out. If you take a night ship, reserve a cabin. And if you want to bring a car, think twice: the island is tiny and most visitors walk, cycle or use the local boats.

The long route across the central Aegean is exposed to the summer meltemi, the steady northerly wind that peaks in July and August. It can make the high-speed boats uncomfortable and sometimes leads to delays or cancellations, while the big conventional ships usually keep running. The port authority can hold departures when it judges conditions unsafe. The operator rebooks or refunds a cancelled ticket through your booking, but there is no quick second boat on this route: with a few sailings a week in winter, a cancellation can shift your plans by days, so keep flexible dates around any flight.